Pleomorphic Multicentric Adenoma in the Submandibular Gland

Neoplasms of salivary glands represent a small group among the diseases involving the head and neck complex. In this group, the pleomorphic adenoma is the most frequent neoplasm, yet involves the submandibular gland in only 12.3% of cases. A patient presenting a swelling in the region of the submandibular gland was submitted to an incisional biopsy, where a fragment of the gland and one juxtaposed node were removed. Histologically they were defined as pleomorphic adenoma. Later, the patient was submitted to submandibulectomy and two other nodes were found close to the gland and removed. All specimens were histologically defined as pleomorphic adenoma. This multicentric finding is of great interest, perhaps explaining the recurrence rate of this neoplasm. The patient is in continuous follow-up and has not presented signs of recurrence. © Humana Press Inc. 2007.